STUDY AND SIMULATION OF DEFECTS IN A SAMPLE USING PULSED EDDY CURRENT THERMOGRAPHY

YUGANDHARA RAO YADAM DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING DESIGN ED12S019 Abstract In this paper, we discussed about the defect identification through PULSED EDDY CURRENT (PEC) thermography method. This technique has an advantage of finding cracks over a large areas. Numerical simulation of Notch, Slot inside a material is done and identification of discontinuity is verified using IR(Infra Red ) Camera. 1. Introduction Current is generated through changing magnetic field. Magnetic field is generated through changing Electric field. This is the theory of electromagnetic fields. This is formulated by Maxwell and experimentally verified by Hertz. When the magnetic field cuts the conductor electric field is generated, because of this current is generated inside the conductor. This is the conduction current. According to Faraday's law, changing electric field induces magnetic field around the conductor. This magnetic field generates eddy current inside the material perpendicular to induced magnetic field. This eddy current forming circles inside the material. This generates the IR loss and because of this lot of heat is generated in a very short duration. The use of NDT(Non Destructive Testing ) for thermography is done by IR cameras. With the new invention of increasing spatial resolution and frame rate of IR cameras, it is possible to inspect large areas and wide ranges over a short duration[1]. This technique is widely used in aerospace, medical, petrochemical and power fields. Heating is done by newer techniques like eddy current. In this thermography a short duration electromagnetic excitation is applied to material under inspection. These currents flows through the material and finds discontinuity. They are forced to divert and current density

increases around the crack. Areas where the eddy current density is more experiences higher Joule heating, thus these defects can be find out through IR camera[2]. 2. Simulation Setup In the Simulation of defect analysis, two models have been analyzed, a Notch-of infinite length, but finite depth; a Slot-of finite in length and extending completely throughout the sample. FEM(Finite Element Method) method is used to simulate the thermographic behavior of the above explained defects in the mild steel[3]. This Simulation is done by using COMSOL Multiphysics using electro-thermal module for applying both general heat and electromagnetic induction heating. While applying heat for Notch through eddy current, we have observed more number of eddy current density around the Notch. These currents bent below the Notch. So the heat is increased along the Notch. We can find these heat areas around the Notch and cooling areas in the remaining areas through IR thermography. A Slot is a discontinuity in the material. The applied pulsed eddy currents changes their direction and density is increased around the slot. Increasing this bulk currents around the Slot causes more IR loss that causes increase of hear around the Slot. This gives the temperature gradient throughout the material and that can be identified by thermography. 3. References 1. Hong Zhang, Gui Yun Tian, Yunze He, Xianzhang Zuo , "Defect depth effects in Pulsed eddy Current thermography," 17th International Conference on Automation &

Computing, 251255(2012). 2. J. Wilson, G. Y. Tian, I. Z. Abidin, et al., "Modelling and evaluation of eddy current stimulated thermography," Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation, vol. 25,205218, (2010). 3. Hong Zhang, Gui Yun Tian, Ilham Zainal Abidin, Suixian Yang, Darryl Almond "Modelling and evaluation of eddy current stimulated thermography," Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation, vol. 25, 205218,(2012).